Review of Star Wars Clone Trooper Helmet

I thought I should post this in here, since its about a toy/collectable.  But of course, feel free to move it.

Last friday, I happened upon this at my local toy store on my way to the train station. 

http://www.amazon.com/Clone-Trooper-Voi … B0013TM6KY

It's a plastic helmet, which is meant to be the clone trooper helmet from Star Wars.  At first, I was skeptical, thinking that this thing was probably just the front piece, then it had like a head band to hold it to your head.  But it's actually the entire helmet.  I decided to get it, cost around 499,- kroner (Norwegian currency, around 88 bucks.)

I took it home, and it took about fifteen minutes to get it open. (Tie downs, plastic, it was a nightmare!)  It comes in six pieces, which you have to put together to get the whole helmet.  And the pieces don't fit together 100%, which is a bummer. (But nothing a little elbow grease and brains can't fix. More on that another time.)

It's got some sound effects, the speaker sits on top of your head, with buttons on the right side of the helmet.  There's two buttons which gives off various clone trooper sound effects, and one larger button on the bottom, which gives your voice a statticy sound with a radio "on-off" sound.  The helmet, is way to large for children, but fits adults perfectly.   There is also an udjustable head strap that you put snap on inside.

Would be cool, but unfortunately, the mike sits below your chin in the helmet!  Which means A.) You have to shout very loudly to get the mic to pick up your voice, drowing out the neat static effect, or B.) You have to hold the helmet up a little so the mic and your mouth align.  Another bummer, but like above, it can be fixed if you take the time.

Here's some pictures of the thing, and me wearing it.

Through the eyes of a clone trooper...

I find the helmet quite interesting, especially the possiblities for it.  There's one thing that caught my eye.  On the sides (close to your ears) there are small prefforated holes, looks like the designers had intended to put speakers or something like that on the inside.  Begs for a radio/walkie-talkie mod! 

I plan on messing around with this helmet, and here is a quick list of what I intend on doing.

1.) Radio mod with speakers.  I'd love to intertwine the radio with the built in mic so you get the radio sound effects as well as the static noise when you use the walkie-talkie.

2.) The "grill" down by the mouth, I intend on making it glossy black, unlike the dark grey it is now.  I'm also going to be adding black foam behind it, to cover up the openings.

3.) I plan on permenantly attaching all the pieces with glue, so they sit tight, and won't come loose.

4.) Put a layer of tint over the visor, because you can clearly see it in the picture with me wearing it, that my eyes show. 

5.) Eventually use plaster or another type of filler to close gaps, openings, and anything else that shouldn't be ajar/open on the helmet.

6.) Fix the openings on the rear grill thingy.

7.) Give it a very glossy paint job with a clear coat.

More ideas will come, if you have any, shoot them up here.  I'll be making a new thread with a complete list, and progress pictures.

Overall, I'll give the helmet a six out of ten rating.  Awesome helmet, but falls short on stupid things like mic placement, the visor is bigger then it should be, pieces that don't fit the way they should.  Worth eighty-eight bucks? No, but you won't have to pay that much for it back in the states!  And don't get this for any kids, you'll have to use a lot of foam on the inside to make it sit properly.  Even then, will the kid have problems looking out. (That's based on the reviews I've read on the helmet.)  Remember, the helmet is BIG.

TEF

P.S.
Click the pictures for larger versions.